KenŽ is a registered trademark of
Mattel, Inc. These pages are neither affiliated with, nor a representative of
Mattel, Inc. Material provided on these pages do not in any way reflect the
opinions of Mattel, Inc.

In 1980 a new and innovative idea stuck, then stuck.
The BarbieŽ circle of friends had included African American friends since the
introduction of Talking ChristieŽ in 1969 and Talking BradŽ
the following year, 1970. Free Moving CaraŽ and CurtisŽ
would follow in 1975. In 1980, the very first African American BarbieŽ appeared on
store shelves, simply called "Black BarbieŽ". Her attitude is unmatched,
as she is displayed with her hand in her short afro styled hair. Her style didn't
match her attitude much, as a SteffieŽ head mold was used. In the years following a
Hispanic head mold was used for African American BarbieŽ until 1988, when she would
borrow ChristieŽ's. Things would be quite different for KenŽ.

It must be pointed out that KenŽ PRECEDED BarbieŽ in
crossing over the racial barrier. 1979's Hawaiian KenŽ,
is depicted as a native Hawaiian, thus preceding Black BarbieŽ by one year. In
1982, the first African American KenŽ appeared. His head mold would be unique,
simply because it was new. Termed the "Black KenŽ 1981" head mold, it
would only be used once, then retired. This head mold appeared only on our KenŽ of
the Month for this month, Sunsational Malibu KenŽ. He had it "going on"
with a hip afro, and nothing much else, seeing that his appearance was in the Malibu swim
line. Interestingly, his head mold is closed-mouth, giving him an air of
seriousness. His swim suit is matched in color to Sunsational Malibu ChristieŽ's,
which leads one to wonder if the two were intended to be a matching couple, since they
look so great together. Also joining this line was a Sunsational Malibu P.J.Ž and
SkipperŽ, who obviously shopped at the same swim store as BarbieŽ and ChristieŽ.
At least they all chose different colors, except for SkipperŽ, who matched her big
sister!

Trio!

The story doesn't end here. There was another version
of Sunsational KenŽ that needs to be mentioned. Actually, two. Yes, the
standard Superstar blonde hair blue eyed KenŽ head mold was present, but so was a brand
new looker! Sunsational Malibu KenŽ was also made in a Hispanic version as well.
He also sported a new head mold, referred to as the "Hispanic KenŽ" head
mold. He would reappear again twice in 1984 as the Hispanic Sun
Gold Malibu KenŽ and as native Hawaiian in Hawaiian KenŽ.

Unfortunate for collectors, the 1981 Black KenŽ mold has not
be used again. Because it only appears on the Sunsational, it demands a higher
secondary market value. It also falls into a particularly popular era of collecting.
Unmatched, of course, was the ability for Mattel, to offer so many different same
versions of KenŽ, at one time. Those truly were the days!

Diversity
Beach!

ABOVE: The other two
same versions available. Caucasian (left) and Hispanic (right) Sunsational Malibu
KenŽ. Both "sen" and "sun" sational in their own respects!

BELOW: Sunsational Malibu
ChristieŽ also uses the SteffieŽ head mold, and was a perfect match to the Sunsational
Malibu KenŽ AA.